Is govt shifting focus of investment into sports?

 

From Johnson Fernandez

Is there a paradigm shift in how the government will prioritise sports moving forward?

Youth and sports minister Hannah Yeoh seemed to suggest so recently.

Yeoh was the guest of honour during the Bandar Menjalara Residents Association’s (BMRA) 20th anniversary dinner last Saturday, April 20.

She won over the 400 residents by pledging RM20,000 for the RA’s activities.

“I had originally pledged RM10,000, but since this is your 20th anniversary, I am now increasing that to RM20,000,” said Hannah, who is also Segambut MP, to thundering applause.

Hannah then went on to air some of her concerns as sports minister, which was a reality check.

Is it worth spending millions on team sports like football and hockey, which are only capable of bringing back a medal each from competitions, she asked.

Or would it be more practical to focus on individual sports where multiple medals are at stake?

She said investing in individual athletes offers the potential for multiple medals compared to stumping up the resources required for team sports.

“Look at Singapore,” said Hannah.

“They invested in swimming, and their swimmers alone won about 20 medals at the last SEA Games. We should think along those lines.”

That does not mean she intends to “starve” team sports, she assured. “They are needed for nation-building and unity as they promote teamwork.”

But the country must also ensure sufficient resources are made available to promote individual sports like track and field, swimming, and martial arts, she said.

“These sports provide many events for medals. We don’t have to kill one to help the other. Both can prosper.”

For context, perhaps the RM5 million Hannah announced for the national team after their disastrous showing at the Asian Cup in Qatar could have been better used for squash’s S. Sivasangari, and athletes Azeem Fahmi and Shereen Vallabouy.

Hannah also highlighted the government’s directive to include private and international schools in all sports competitions at every level. This will allow the country to tap into a broader talent pool, recognising that many potential athletes may not attend national schools, she said.

“Currently, the education system is segregated into public versus private. Efforts to tap into the private sector must be made, including tahfiz and international and private schools.

“We want to tap into this huge talent pool previously excluded from the district level.”

When informed that schools had yet to get their sports events underway this year, Hannah said this was because they were still adjusting schedules post-Covid-19.

She, however, said action was necessary, acknowledging that every journey begins with a single step.

“Schools are still regularising their calendar. We have to start somewhere. We have enough political will to do it now.”

Hannah stressed the overarching message of growing the talent pool, with tax deductions was intended to encourage parents to invest in sports training within the system.

Last October, the government proposed a special tax relief of up to RM1,000 for purchasing sports equipment and activities, which will be extended to cover sports training fees for oneself, a spouse, or a child.

She said the training fee tax exemption would cover 103 types of sports gazetted under the Sports Development Act 1997 (Act 576).

“So, save all your receipts. Keep the receipts if you buy sports equipment for yourself, your spouse or your children. If you join a gym or pay for professional training for your children, save that receipt. And then claim for a tax deduction for up to RM1,000.”

She hoped this would encourage mass participation in sports from a young age to address the shortage of elite athletes.

“We do not have enough elite athletes. We cannot only rely on the likes of Pandalela (Rinong) and Azizulhasni (Awang).” - FMT

Johnson Fernandez was the Malay Mail Sports Editor from 1998-2003 and won the prestigious Sports Journalist of the Year award in 1994.

The views expressed are those of the writer and do not necessarily reflect those of MMKtT.